The festival of colors, Holi is celebrated all over India for thousands of years and is now also celebrated by various communities of South Asia. In 2019, Main Holi will be celebrated on Thursday, March 21, all over the world with Holika Dahan preceding the festival on the night of March 20. However, the Holi celebration is commencing in Vrindavan on 10th February 2019.

Color Holi Celebration at Bankey Bihari Temple, Vrindavan, Mathura

This festival is public and open for everyone. I’ve combined the list of the best festival you must attend in order to have the great experience ever as follow:

Events, Dates & Locations

Ladoo Holi / Faag Mahotsav at Barsana - 14th March

The ‘Laddoo Holi’ comes a day before the town celebrates ‘Lathmaar Holi’ during which women chase away men with sticks. ‘Laddoo Holi’ is celebrated by the devotees who believe Lord Krishna came here from his native place Nandgoan to play.

Lathmar Holi at Barsana - 15th March

Lathmar Holi is a holi ritual in which women beat men (playfully) with sticks. Barsana is the place where Radha used to live, and Krishna used to visit this place to put color on Radha.

Lathmar Holi at Nundgaon- 16th March

Celebrations in Barsana is followed up by similar celebrations in Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) on the very next day. Nandgaon has found a reference in religious texts as the place where Krishna spent most of his childhood days. According to legends, after Krishna went to Barsana to put colour on Radha and her friends came to Nandgaon on the next day to put colour on Krishna. And hence, Holi celebrations shift from Barsana to Nandgaon.

Flowers Holi at Vrindavan- 17th March

On the Ekadashi before Holi, the Bankey Bihari temple at Vrindavan celebtrates a unique Holi which is not celebrated with conventional dry or wet colors, but with flowers, and hence the name Phoolon wali holi (Flowers’ Holi). The event is not as popular as the other events, but is quickly getting it’s due.

Widows Holi at Mathura - 19th March

Life of widows in India has always led a difficult life. They were often banished from their homes and were forced to live in ashrams in Varanasi and Vrindavan. They wore white clothes and never played with colors in Hinduism but a few years back the widows of Pagal Baba Widow Ashram broke this convention and play with colors. Since then, it is also a day where people get to see them putting themselves into the colors.

Holi Dehan at Mathura - 20th March

On this day, holy pyres are burnt on the streets and people from the various communities gather to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Holi Festival at Vrindavan - 21th March

The Bankey Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is one such place to enjoy the festivities as it hosts a week-long Holi celebration here. During these days, the idol of Bihariji (Krishna’s other name) is dressed up in white colored clothes and it is brought closer to his devotees to play Holi. Vrindavan Holi is played with colored water and gulal, a form of color made using organic substances like flowers and kesar. Goswami (priests in the temple) sprinkle colors on everyone using buckets, water guns, etc. The whole atmosphere is made even more lively with music (bhajans) in the background and people dance to the tunes while enjoying the colors.

Huranga at Dauji Mathura - 22nd March

Dauji Temple hosts Huranga where men are beaten up by women. This is a centuries-old tradition that started when the temple was established. Women of the family that built the temple beat men in courtyarded of the temple and rip their clothes. After the ritual, everyone joins in to play Holi.

The Holi is celebrated in almost every part of India. However, Holi in Braj is especially famous for its connection with Hinduism’s mythology. Braj is a historical region which covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan and some nearby areas. Holi here attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world because of its unique customs and traditions. Mathura is the birth-place of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up in his childhood.

Group of Travellers who celebrated Holi in Braj in 2018

When Krishna was young, he cribbed to his mother about Radha (his girlfriend) being fair while Krishna himself was dark complexioned. His mother (Yashoda) suggested him to color Radha with colors in a playful manner. Over the years, Krishna from his village Nandgaon used to go to Barsana (Radha’s village) to color Radha and other Gopis (Radha’s friends). They also used to playfully beat him with sticks. And hence the tradition evolved.

Yes, Holi is safe for females too. Last time, we had more females than males participants.

To make your trip planning easy, we have planned 4 different packages of 3 events as follow. You can choose to attend a few or simply plonk yourself in the town and experience the most colorful week of your life.

Package 1

This package offers 3 different types of Holi at three locations Barsana, Nundgaon & Vrindavan for 3 days.

Itinerary

Day 1 (15thMarch, 2019) at Radha Rani, Barsana

10:00 hrs Meet & Greet at Barsana

11:00 hrs Heavy breakfast on your own

12:00 hrs Proceed to Radha Rani Temple (from Nundgaon Side)

18:00 hrs Tea

19:00 hrs Departure to Yugal Kunj, Vrindavan

20:00 hrs Dinner

Day 2 (16thMarch, 2019) at Nundgaon

8:00 hrs Breakfast

10:0 hrs Proceed to Nundgaon (from Barsana Side)

11:00 hrs Tea/Thandai/Bhaang at Krishna Kund

12:00 hrs Nandgaon Parikarma & Holi Walk

14:00 hrs Lathmar Holi at Rangeeli Gali

18:00 hrs Departure to Yugal Kunjm Vrindavan

20:00 hrs Dinner

Day 3 (17thMarch, 2019) at Vrindavan

8:00 hrs Breakfast

09:00 hrs Holi walk in Vrindavan

15:00 hrs Proceed to Bankey Bihari Temple to experience flower holi

18:00 hrs Get back to the hostel

19:00 hrs Dinner. Check – out.

Rate: INR 4,999.00/ Per Person

Note:

People interested in playing Lathmar Holi at Nundgaon has to inform much in advance so we can arrange costumes & poles. Extra -charges as applicable.

Timing and details mentioned above are for your reference only. Actual journey time depends upon on the road conditions, traffic and festival etc. Please reconfirm timing with our team manager or representatives.

Package 2

This package offers 4 days celebration at 4 different locations along with deep details of Vrindavan & Braj. It will change your perspective about this holy land.

Itinerary

Day 1 (18thMarch, 2019) at Vrindavan

15:00 hrs Arrival & Welcome at Jugal Kunj, Vrindavan. Room Check-in

16:00 hrs Vrindavan Walk & Sightseeing

18:30 hrs Yamuna Aarti Ceremony

20:00 hrs Dinner

Day 2(19thMarch, 2019) at Mathura & Vrindavan

08:00 hrs Breakfast

10:00 hrs Departure to Mathura to attend Widow Holi

13:00 Lunch on our own at any restaurant

14:00 hrs Free time for shopping and roam around Walk to nearest temples

15:00 hrs Departure to Jugal Kunj, Vrindavan

16:00 hrs Evening Tea & Snacks

17:00 hrs Off to Yamuna Boating, Bonfire & Activities

19:30 hrs Dinner

Day 3 (20thMarch, 2019) at Vrindavan

05:30 hrs Early Morning Tea

06:00 hrs Proceed to Sunrise

7:00 hrs Breakfast

08:00 hrs Parikarma & Holi at various temples along with Heritage walk. (optional)

13:00 Lunch on our own at any restaurant

14:00 hrs Rest Time & Rejoice with fellow travelers

16:00 hrs Evening Tea & Snacks

17:00 hrs Proceed to Holi Gate for Holika Dehan

OR

17:00 hrs Off to Fall-in Village to witness a lifetime experience of a human crossing fire alive

There are 2 different events on 21st. We’ll allow people to decide wherever they want to attend the event depending upon the traffic, permissions etc.

Timing and details mentioned above are for your reference only. Actual journey time depends upon on the road conditions, traffic and festival etc. Please reconfirm timing with our team manager or representatives.

Package 3

This package offers 5 days celebration at 5 different locations along with deep details of Vrindavan & Braj. It also includes a Lath Mar Holi played at Dauji Mathura.

Itinerary

Day 1 (18thMarch, 2019) at Vrindavan

15:00 hrs Arrival & Welcome at Jugal Kunj, Vrindavan. Room Check-in

16:00 hrs Vrindavan Walk & Sightseeing

18:30 hrs Yamuna Aarti Ceremony

20:00 hrs Dinner

Day 2 (19thMarch, 2019) at Mathura & Vrindavan

08:00 hrs Breakfast

10:00 hrs Departure to Mathura to attend Widow Holi

13:00 Lunch on our own at any restaurant

14:00 hrs Free time for shopping and roam around Walk to nearest temples

15:00 hrs Departure to Jugal Kunj, Vrindavan

16:00 hrs Evening Tea & Snacks

17:00 hrs Off to Yamuna Boating, Bonfire & Activities

19:30 hrs Dinner

Day 3 (20thMarch, 2019) at Vrindavan

05:30 hrs Early Morning Tea

06:00 hrs Proceed to Sunrise

7:00 hrs Breakfast

08:00 hrs Parikarma & Holi at various temples along with Heritage walk. (optional)

13:00 Lunch on our own at any restaurant

14:00 hrs Rest Time & Rejoice with fellow travelers

16:00 hrs Evening Tea & Snacks

17:00 hrs Proceed to Holi Gate for Holika Dehan

OR

17:00 hrs Off to Fall-in Village to witness a lifetime experience of a human crossing fire alive

There are 2 different events on 21st. We’ll allow people to decide wherever they want to attend the event depending upon the traffic, permissions etc.

People interested in playing Lathmar Holi at Dauji has to inform much in advance so we can arrange costumes & poles. Extra -charges as applicable.

Timing and details mentioned above are for your reference only. Actual journey time depends upon on the road conditions, traffic and festival etc. Please reconfirm timing with our team manager or representatives.

Where to Stay:

Your Holi experience depends on where you chose to stay. Few of my friends have had a bad experience as their property was far away or was located at those places where there was holi played very badly even sometimes with drainage water so I would suggest you some specific properties where you’ll have a better and an amazing experience.

Yugal Kunj Homestay: This property is my friend’s property who himself is a bike rider. He understands the basic needs of travelers, therefore, this could be the best option for you. It has 4rooms & 3 Dorms. This property can accommodate up to 30 people at once.

This property is ideal for budget travellers, solo travellers, family & big groups. The 3-floor building is located at prime location and is just 500mtrs away from Shri Bankey Bihari Temple. The top roof gives you a view of the river, Yamuna.

What to Eat:

Vrindavan’s Petha (sweet made of milk & pure ghee) are really famous. You can also try Lassi (Yogurt sweet drink) and other street food. At Yugal Kunj, you will also be getting Free Breakfast and Thali for INR 250/- dinner during the Holi festival.

How to Reach:

The nearest railway station is at Mathura (12km)/ Vrindavan Road (6kms) and the nearest airport in Delhi (142km). Taxis/Autos are available from Mathura railway station at regular intervals for Vrindavan. You can also come by UBER/OLA from Delhi. UP State buses also connect Vrindavan to other neighboring cities like Agra, Delhi, Faridabad, Noida etc.

Traveling in local auto is fun itself

How To Pay or Join the Event:

In order to join the event. You’ll have to call us at Pritam +91-99725-06723 or Sunil Brajwasi +91- 92195-05088. This event has been organized with love and passion. Trust us, this is going to be your best event ever.

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